Niedoba
finished first with her response to “Base of Perito Moreno glacier outside El
Calafate, Argentina” by Ben Silverberg.

In
her submission, Niedoba explained that she was captivated by Silverberg’s
photograph of a glacier in Argentina because it made her think about people choosing
to climb the glacier despite the difficulty. She compared the climbers and their
tenacity to patients at WVU Medicine, specifically the ones
participating in the Narrative Medicine project.

“As
cliché as it sounds, these patients have to face seemingly insurmountable
obstacles much like the glacier to the climbers,” Niedoba wrote. “However, the
group of hikers in the background symbolizes that no one is left alone to
figure out how he or she will survive. Even if the patients don’t have any
family, they have people like Renée Nicholson (Narrative Medicine project
director) who are genuinely interested in the stories the patients want to
tell. By getting the chance to tell their story, patients are able to control
their own legacy.”

Niedoba
will receive a signed copy of “North to Lakeville” by Jason Kapcala, coordinator
of Auxiliary Aids at WVU’s Office of Accessibility Services,
who also served as a juror for the art exhibit.

“It’s
so important for art to be available in public places like libraries and
hospitals,” Kapcala said. “It was exciting to read the strong responses people
had to these pieces. Jordan Niedoba’s reflection on survival and hope is an
excellent example of how art tells a story.”

Runner-up
Kuhn wrote a response to “A Moment of Tranquility” by Denise Porter, and will receive
a signed copy of Nicholson’s “Roundabout Directions to Lincoln Center.”